The choice between steel, stainless steel, and other materials like copper for gaskets depends on the specific requirements of the application. Steel and stainless steel are preferred in conditions that demand high strength, durability, and resistance to harsh environments.
Stainless Steel:
Stainless steel is renowned for its superior corrosion resistance. It contains chromium, which reacts with oxygen to form a passive layer of chromium oxide on the surface. This layer protects the underlying metal from further oxidation and corrosion. This property is particularly valuable in environments that are acidic, moist, or where the material is exposed to corrosive chemicals. Stainless steel can maintain its strength and resist scaling at high temperatures, making it suitable for applications involving extreme heat.
Carbon Steel:
Carbon steel also offers high strength like stainless but is generally less expensive and easier to machine and work with in production processes compared to stainless steel. Carbon steel offers better thermal conductivity than stainless steel, making it suitable for applications that involve heat transfer.
AMG Steel-Tite®:
Developed by AMG metallurgical engineers, Steel-Tite gasket material provides the same “softness” and sealing characteristics as copper yet costs roughly one-third the price. Steel-Tite can be formed or drawn. Our process shall ensure consistent hardness throughout a given heat, which is approximately Rockwell B-0. Steel-Tite can often be softened to as low as Rockwell H-70 through special annealing procedures. It is available in a wide range of gages in sheet form and Steel-Tite wire can be provided in a range from 0.095″ to 0.375″ in diameter.
Steel, Stainless Steel and Steel-Tite offer a variety of characteristics that make them a better selection for gaskets in industrial applications. Below are some factors and applications best suited for steel, stainless and Steel-Tite® including the reasons why:
Applications: Oil and gas pipelines, pressure vessels, and high-pressure valves.
Reasons: These materials can withstand high pressure without deforming, ensuring a tight seal under conditions that might cause other materials to fail.
Applications: Exhaust systems, boilers, and heat exchangers.
Reasons: They have excellent resistance to thermal expansion and corrosion at high temperatures, maintaining integrity where materials like copper might soften or degrade.
Applications: Gaskets used in chemical processing plants, desalination plants, and marine applications.
Reasons: Stainless steel contains chromium, which forms a passive layer of chromium oxide on the surface, protecting against corrosion from a wide range of chemicals.
Applications: Gaskets used in food processing equipment, and equipment in clean rooms.
Reasons: It is highly resistant to corrosion and does not tarnish or react with acidic foods. Stainless steel is also easy to clean and sterilize.
Applications: Engine gaskets, fuel systems, and exhaust systems.
Reasons: These materials can handle the extreme conditions of automotive and aerospace environments, including fluctuations in temperature, pressure, and exposure to corrosive substances.
Applications: Gaskets used in LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) storage and transport, and cryogenic valves.
Reasons: Certain grades of stainless steel maintain excellent toughness and ductility at very low temperatures, which is essential in cryogenic applications for safety.
AMG Products has been supplying a wide range of industries with metallic gaskets since 1904. We have extensive experience working with a variety of metals and configurations. Our experience enables us to better understand your requirements and offer a wide variety of tooling configurations to minimize any tooling costs associated with your sealing device needs.
We understand time is critical, let us work with you to develop a custom stocking program to ensure you have parts on the shelf every time they’re needed.
